- alkyne metathesis cleaves the C-C triple bonds in two alkynes to form two new alkynes;

it is used to make conjugated polymers with interesting electronic properties and to

synthesize macrocycles with E or Z alkenes after reduction ; it is catalyzed by metal
alkylidenes

- the intermediate of alkyne metathesis involves a metallacyclobutadiene complex


- alkyne cross metathesis can be used to synthesize unsymmetrical alkynes

- ring closing alkyne metathesis + reduction can be used to synthesize macrocyclic natural
products containing cis olefins

- enyne metathesis generates dienes from alkynes and alkenes by splitting the alkene in
half and adding them across the alkyne ; high heterofunction tolerance when used with
Grubbs catalyst

- enyne metathesis can be used with olefin metathesis to form bicyclic products

- the mechanism of enyne metathesis involves the formation of an alkylidene complex and
the subsequent formation of a metallocyclobutene complex